Lots of speculation over President Donald Trump’s VP choice. Whoever Mr. Trump picks, it must be a Washington D.C. outsider.
Why must Trump bring in someone independent of the Washington establishment? Something taints people after spending enough time in D.C. Even those considered strong conservatives should be viewed with a jaded eye.
Pundits are pushing Congresswoman Elise Stefanik or Senator Tim Scott as solid VP choices. I disagree wholeheartedly.
While a principled legislator and a defender of President Trump during the Russia – Russia hoax, Stefanik is a member of Congress. This means she makes her living compromising for the best legislation. After all, isn’t that the nature of politics: giving something to get something?
The same goes for Senator Scott. He seems to be a decent guy, and has defended Trump on numerous occasions, but despite his Christian-conservative bona fides, he’s still an insider.
Yes, I understand the executive branch has to sometimes compromise with the House and Senate. And yes, I understand sometimes “inside baseball “knowledge is needed to get things done.
HOWEVER …
In the times we are living, any compromise with Congress must mean them coming to the people’s side, as represented by Trump, rather than the other way around. This means Washington insiders are the last thing needed due to their exposure to the D.C. virus.
What is the D.C. virus? I call it a contagion that taints politicians’ view of the people, weakens their spines, and grafts them into the hive mentality of doublespeak, fence-sitting and taking “principled” stands only when election time rolls around.
Because of this virus, every soundbite or vote a legislator makes becomes a political calculation. Standing strong on a matter usually comes after wetting that finger and figuring out which way the political winds are blowing. Are there exceptions to this? Of course, and I think Ms. Stefanik is probably one of those exceptions; perhaps even more so than Mr. Scott, in my humble opinion.
BUT…
Non-politicians must step up to fix Washington: ordinary men and women who view the current system with disgust and believe the needs of the American people ( not lobbyists) should take prominence in every piece of legislation.
Key traits needed? They must be unflappable independent thinkers.
This must apply to those running for congressional office and for Trump’s Vice President choice. When it comes to the VP, only one person fits this description: Dr. Ben Carson.
Carson is not a politician, but a former neurosurgeon. Why is this important? Neurosurgeons are at the top-tier of the surgical hierarchy.
Neurosurgeons perform precise and delicate procedures involving the brain and the spinal cord. We’re talking high stakes with the risk of maximum harm. If you compare surgeons to military special forces, then neurosurgeons are the Navy Seals of the medical profession.
With this in mind, consider that Carson was the best-of-the-best of neurosurgeons. At 33 years old, Carson was the youngest head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He gained national attention in 1987 when he and his team performed the first separation of infant conjoined twins. You can read about that here and here.
If that’s not enough to prove Carson is no empty suit, consider his life story: parents divorcing when he was young, growing up in a single parent home, living in poverty, having a violent temper and thought of as dumb by elementary school classmates. He was blessed to have a strong mother who taught him and his brother the value of reading. His Christian faith overcame his past, making him the brilliant surgeon and walk-the walk conservative he is today.
What sets Carson apart is his fearlessness to speak truths no matter who is offended. This was on full display during his 2013 National Prayer Breakfast speech with President Barack Obama in attendance. Carson’s speech stood out because it was antithetical to Obama’s divisive policies of fundamentally transforming America.
Making America great again means looking to the talents, wisdom, humility and patriotism of successful Americans. These are the people we need in political office, not professional politicians.
As Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in Trump’s last administration, Carson got an up-close and personal of D.C. dealings. Some may say that makes him an insider.
No way.
Although Carson headed HUD, he didn’t have to worry about re-election or towing the party line. He made executive decisions, independent of legislative bodies.
Trump needs a loyal wingman who could later take the baton as his successor and pass it along responsibly. Carson most certainly fits the bill for Trump’s VP choice.
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This article was originally published at the American Thinker.
6 replies on “Trump’s VP must be an outsider”
Great perspective and really great points made. Career politicians are exactly that. And by the I mean they are working further their best interests and push themselves further into their career. Even those with the best initial intentions can be swayed by greed or the right influence. This is one of the reasons I back Trump. He is not a career politician looking for power and advancement of himself. He’s is an American who respects the core values of this country and wants to restore it to be the great country we are even at the cost of himself. As far as a VP, it only makes sense that Trump have someone who is willing to do the same. Ben Carson has already established himself in his career and seems he could live quite comfortably with all he has achieved in his life without throwing himself into the political spotlight and whirlwind that brings. Sure he has some to gain, but really way more to lose… especially seeing what they are doing to Trump. Yet, despite that, he is still willing to fight the fight and face the challenge of this war against evil and corruption. To me this speaks volumes. I liked Ben Carson as a choice when he was ran in 2016, and I like him now. I believe he would be an excellent choice for VP.
Interesting perspective and I do agree. Dr. Ben Carson would be an excellent choice. A Trump/Carson ticket would be a formidable duo. Unfortunately I believe they would face an “uphill” battle as they would be perceived as “outsiders”. The political establishment has a self serving agenda to maintain the status quo. A Trump/Carson pairing would be a refreshing change to our “usual” candidates and hopefully inspire a return to politicians working FOR the American people and and our core beliefs…..not for themselves!
Dex,
I agree that the VP choice should be an outsider and that Dr. Ben Carson would be an excellent choice.
As far as outsiders go, I would like to offer a second option……
Kari Lake. As far as insiders go…… she is probably the most “outside” insider I can think of. The establishment media obviously hates her, and so if looking at “enemy strategy” she would fit the bill. Plus she is tenacious like Trump.
I think she is good choice. I would rather see her in an executive role rather than the cesspool that is the Senate .
It definitely needs to be an outsider. I like the reasoning behind Ben Carson and I think he would do well in the role. I also like Vivek Ramaswamy. I do not know if Trump and him would clash…not necessarily a bad thing, but I do know Vivek understands how business works and what it takes to run a business enterprise. He definitely, is an outsider, and I do believe he would provide a different perspective to the Senate on a close vote. As with Trump, Vivek has a good eye on where to cut the fat and where agency consolidation could take place. We really need people who are not afraid to propose, push, and transform our government back to “for the people and by the people!” Anyone who wants President Trump to win again understands he will need strong minded people who will push hard on transformation. We do not want a person who will play politics and stroke egos and allow for any new policy or agenda to become watered down with political party pet projects. I believe Vivek will not allow this to happen and is definitely a man who has strong views on how to get things done in Washington D.C. He is young and has the necessary energy and drive to get the work done. We need that!
You stated: “What is the D.C. virus? I call it a contagion that taints politicians’ view of the people, weakens their spines…”
So true about both sides of the isle. Its quite sickening. I like that; ” The D.C. virus”